A/N: This was a complicated story to write. It was hard to nail down just how much time passed through the episode. I also reference the previous episode, The Outcast. Enjoy and I will catch you all in the new year!

'Shannon! Finally! I didn't think you'd ever get here. You have to tell me everything. Is it true?'

2017/2018 Seminole Hard Rock Poker tournament schedule: WPTDeepStacks Immokalee (Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee) – Sept 1-10, 2017 – Rescheduled April 9-11 during Hollywood’s Showdown World Series of Poker Circuit (Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood) – Sept 21-Oct 2, 2017 – Recap. Dec 12, 2020 Shannon Collis is a talented American actress. She is best known for her work in Hollywood movies and TV series. As we all know, with her footprint, she began traveling thousands of miles and likewise started her acting career with minor roles.

Not entirely surprised by her friend's words, Shannon Cartwright nevertheless narrowed her eyes at Amy Jackson. 'Good morning to you too, Amy,' she said, shifting her schoolbooks from one hand to the other. And though she was afraid to know, she asked, 'Is what true?'

The other girl gave a huff. 'You know.' She glanced around and then lowered her voice to just above a whisper. 'Leta Malvet. Did she really turn on Clay Renton? Everyone is saying the posse found him at her farm but that she wouldn't protect him from the sheriff. Did it happen like that?'

Sighing, Shannon nodded. 'What does it matter?'

'What does it matter? What kind of question is that? Her father and brother murdered two people! And then the criminal who was courting her dies because she turned on him.' Amy's eyes were wide. 'Did your family say anything about it?'
As she kept walking, Shannon did her best to ignore the glances that came her way from the other students. Goodness knows she'd endured plenty of stares in her short twelve year lifetime. 'What do the actions of her family have to do with whether or not she turned in Clay Renton?'

'Well, everyone says treachery is in her blood.'

Coming to a stop, Shannon spun on her heel and faced Amy, who almost ran into her. 'In her blood? You really believe the tendency to commit crimes or to do anything horrible runs in people's blood? Is that what you're saying to me?'

'I'm just telling you what other people are saying.'

'So because my aunt has committed fraud, lied, and done who knows what else, everyone is just waiting for me to do the same?' Shannon heard the bitter edge in her voice. 'The blood from my mother's side of the family outweighs what comes from my father?'

Amy blinked. 'No, of course not—'

'Then why would Leta Malvet? Wasn't her mother a kind and sweet lady?'

For a moment, Amy was quiet. 'What if she had something to do with the murders her father and brother committed? My pa says he thinks she did but no one has been able to prove it. Maybe you had a criminal, a murderer, staying on the Ponderosa!'

'Maybe pigs will fly this afternoon and the president will come to visit.' Shannon approached the front of the school and set her books on the steps since she was in no hurry to go inside. 'Leta Malvet was not a criminal and my family only told me a few things about what happened last night.'

'Well, you don't have to be rude about it,' Amy said with a huff. 'Was that so hard to say?'

'And it doesn't matter what other people are saying,' Shannon said with as much patience as she could muster. 'My pa brought Miss Malvet to the Ponderosa and she was kind while she was with us. Then, she went back to her own home. That's all.'

Humming, Amy leaned against the side of the building. 'But what will become of her now? After all, she has no family left. No future or prospects. You don't think she'll leave town, do you? That's wha—'

'If the next words out of your mouth are going to be 'everyone says', I promise I won't speak to you for the rest of the day.'

The other twelve-year-old gave another huff. 'Fine. I just thought you'd want to know what's being said. You know. So you can tell your pa and brothers. Surely, they would be interested in what everyone is saying.'

'Maybe they would, maybe they wouldn't. Don't you think they'd be in a position to know more about what's being said than you?'

One of the other girls called for Amy to come join their game, which brought the conversation to an end. With a sigh, Shannon sat on the steps and watched. Her mind wandered quickly.

It hadn't really been a surprise when she'd arrived home from school and learned her father had brought Leta Malvet to the Ponderosa. The atmosphere in town since the murders had been hostile and Shannon had been forbidden to go into town...again. All in all, it was what she'd come to expect from a normal week in her life.

What had been enjoyable was seeing her pa tell Adam he would be riding with Joe to protect the payroll. It had been a first seeing Pa take her oldest brother down a few pegs and, in Shannon's mind, more than well-deserved. There were times Adam acted far too superior to the rest of them.

'Oh, Shannon. Why are you sitting here by yourself?'

'School is about to start, isn't it, Miss Jones?' Shannon said, unwilling to confide in her teacher.

The woman raised an eyebrow. 'It is, but I've never known you to be waiting at the door like this. Is there something you'd like to talk about?'

Ever since Miss Emerson had been dismissed and Miss Jones returned to take over once more, the teacher had done her best to get Shannon to confide in her. It was the last thing Shannon wanted to do.

'No, ma'am,' the girl said politely. 'May I go into my desk please?'

Miss Jones frowned but nodded. Relieved, Shannon slipped into the building and went to her desk. Behind her, the teacher rang the bell and called for the students to come in. A minute later, the building filled sound: a cacophony of voices trying to speak over each other, the thud footsteps on the wooden floor, the thunk of children landing in their seats.

Books opened around the room as Miss Jones walked to the front of the class. Heaving a sigh, Shannon opened her McGuffey's Reader and bent over it.

Yawning, the twelve-year-old leaned against the steps at the end of the school day. Most of her schoolmates had already headed for home, Amy with them. 'Are you waiting for one of your brothers to come along?' teenaged Emma Marks asked as she paused next to Shannon.

'Yeah,' Shannon answered, scuffing her foot against the dirt. 'With everything that has happened, it makes Pa feel easier if I'm not alone on the way back home.' That she'd lost her father's trust when she'd agreed to go down an abandoned mine, Shannon kept to herself. It was embarrassing enough without talking about it.

'Well, between everyone talking about everything that happened with the Malvets and talk about the war brewing out east, there's not much you're missing out on.'

Sick of hearing about the Malvets, Shannon focused on the second part of what the girl had said. 'War?'

'Yeah, it seems like the Southern states want to keep slaves and the Northern states say its wrong,' Emma said with a sigh. 'There's several who think the South has the right to do what they want, but most are siding with the North.'

'So because they disagree there's going to be a war?' Shannon asked with a frown. She vaguely remembered her grandmother worrying over the possibility but it had been so long ago. It had seemed far-fetched then, and she hadn't paid much attention to it.

'That's what I keep hearing.' Emma sighed again and sat down. 'If your pa is so worried about you not being alone, I'll sit and wait with you.'

Usually, Amy would have suggested doing that very thing, but the girl had been so annoyed with Shannon's unwillingness to talk about the Malvets, she'd gone home. 'Thank you,' Shannon said quietly. 'You don't have to if your parents are expecting you home to do chores.'

Emma shrugged. 'My brothers do most of the chores. When I get home, I'll just have a mountain of mending to do. It's not hard; just time-consuming. I'd much rather work on the new Sunday dress my ma and I have cut out.'

'I don't know how to sew,' Shannon confessed. 'Not very well, anyway.'

The older girl tilted her head. 'You don't? Well, I suppose that makes sense. Who would teach you?'

'My grandmother taught me how to sew on buttons, but most of the time she would send all our sewing out. I think Hop-Sing's cousin mends our clothes, but I'm not sure if it is the same cousin who does our laundry.' Odd. She'd never thought much about who repaired the Cartwright clothing. Granted, most damaged shirts were beyond help and had to be replaced.

For a moment, Emma was quiet. 'I could teach you if you want to learn.'

Surprised, Shannon stared at her. 'You would?'

'Yeah. My mother says if there is one skill every woman ought to have, it's sewing. If anything happens, a woman can always take in sewing.' Emma glanced over. 'Not that you'd ever have that problem.'

Not liking the reminder of how she differed from other girls her age, Shannon shrugged. 'I'd still like to learn. Maybe, one day, I'll be able to enter something in the annual charity bazaar.'

'I entered a quilt this year,' Emma said with quiet pride. 'I designed the pattern myself, and even bought some of the fabric new with what I earned selling eggs.'

Miss Jones stepped out behind them. 'Why, what are you two doing here still?' the woman asked in surprise. 'I would have expected you both to be well on your way home by now.'

'I'm waiting with Shannon until one of her brothers come,' Emma said before Shannon could think of something—anything—besides the truth.

'I would be happy to do that if you have chores to do at home, Emma,' Miss Jones said, hope sparking in her eyes. 'In fact, it's been quite some time since I last spoke to your brother Adam.'

At that moment, it was her oldest brother Shannon saw riding towards the school. 'No need, Miss Jones. It looks like Adam is here now.' She scrambled to her feet and faced Emma. 'If you're sure it won't be any trouble, I'd like to learn how to sew. Anything you could teach me would be better than nothing.'

'It won't be any trouble at all,' Emma assured her as she pushed herself up from the steps. 'We'll work out the details later.'

Taking Star's reins into her hand, Shannon mounted the horse and guided the little mare away from the school. 'How was your day, Shannon?' Adam asked as she joined him. He tipped his hat to Miss Jones.

'Fine,' Shannon said simply. 'You're late.'

'Joe managed to get himself into some trouble in town, as usual,' Adam said, turning Sport and starting towards the Ponderosa. 'We're having company at supper tonight, so be on your best behavior.'

Annoyed, Shannon glared at him. 'I'm always on my best behavior when someone visits. Who is it?'

Her brother let out a laugh. 'A man by the name of Frederick Kyle. He's new in town, and he helped keep Joe out of a bar fight. Joe invited him to dinner and to stay the night with us as a way of thanking him. They've gone ahead of us.'

At least it wasn't a woman was all Shannon thought as she urged Star to fall into step beside Sport.

'Mr. Kyle, I'd like to tell you again how grateful I am to you for helping Little Joe,' Ben said as he raised his glass to his lips.

'For a meal like this, I'd do it every day,' Mr. Kyle said with a laugh.

'It's a pity you didn't get here a few days earlier. Then, maybe Little Joe might have had some money left over to spend the next time he goes into town.' The teasing note in Ben's voice took away most of the sting of the chastisement of his words.

Everyone around the table was grinning. 'You've been cheated before, Little Joe?' Mr. Kyle asked.

'They don't have to cheat him to get his money, Mr. Kyle,' Hoss spoke up with a laugh. 'He's the worst poker player on the whole Comstock.'

Joe took the teasing with better humor than he might have some days as everyone laughed. Shannon listened with interest. Joe had promised to teach her poker, but if he was so terrible at it, was it worth learning from him?

'Well, I'd like to make up that deficit in spending money,' Mr. Kyle said, his tone still amiable. He focused on Ben as he explained further, 'You see, I'm in the business of exporting gold and silver bullion.'

'You plan to buy silver ore here in Virginia City, Mr. Kyle?' Adam asked with interest.

'My intentions precisely.'

'Well, you've certainly come to the right place then. We're sitting on top of a whole mountain of it here,' Ben said, gesturing as if to take in most of the territory.

'So I understand. But I must get to the various who control that mountain of silver, to interest them in my proposition.'

'I know them all, Mr. Kyle,' Joe said without his usual bravado. 'I'd be more than happy to show you around.'

'Well, I appreciate your kind offer, Little Joe.' Mr. Kyle looked pleased.

Growing bored with the conversation, Shannon focused on clearing her plate of any race of cherry pie. 'If you're looking for help in high finance, Mr. Kyle, I'm afraid you done picked the wrong Cartwright,' Hoss said.

'How do you mean?'

'Well, you see Little Joe's full of that hot Southern blood that he can't get very interested in cold cash,' Hoss explained, like it should have been obvious. 'Now, on the other hand, Adam over there, he's from New England. And he's just got a natural feeling for the jingle of cash.'

It wasn't the first time one of them had joked about the differences between them. Joe, hot-tempered. Adam, cool and collected. Hoss...well, he wasn't like either of his brothers, though he did have a temper at times.

'And how about you, Hoss?' Mr. Kyle asked, his tone one of polite interest.

'Well, sir, I-I reckon I'm sort of in between.'

'Hoss' mother and I were in the way out west when Hoss was born,' Ben said, with the serious he used when speaking of one of his long-dead wives. 'Out on the prairie, just west of the Missouri.'

Adam Shannon Poker Announcer

If Hoss was in between, not of the south or the north, where would that put Shannon? She had been born in San Francisco, then raised in Boston until she was eleven. Her family's roots went all the way back to Ireland, and her grandfather had been an active supporter Irish freedom. Was she in between like Hoss or something completely different? Should she want to support her mother's people?

'You weren't alone, Hoss.' Mr. Kyle had also become serious. 'Many good men were born on the prairie.'

Hoss nodded. 'Yessir. I just don't understand it. We're all from the same country here, and yet there's still all this talk about North and South. Where's the dividing line?'

Shannon glanced around uneasily. The possibility of war back east was not one brought up at the Cartwright table, for all the rumors flying around town among the rest of the territory inhabitants. Their pa had made that clear quite some time ago.

'I'd say that the dividing line was in peoples' minds,' Mr. Kyle said.

'Well, that puts me in the middle, all right, 'cause I ain't got no leaning either way.'

Little Joe chuckled. 'Well, you know, that's the trouble with you, Hoss. Now you take older brother over here. He's from way up north. Me, I'm from way down south in Dixie,' he said.

'Just blow the bugle when you want the war started,' Adam joked.

Somehow, though, Shannon didn't like where the conversation had gone. Ben's 'all right, now,' conveyed the same feeling. 'We all have our roots and they're right here on the Ponderosa now. Shannon, why don't you see if Hop-Sing needs help in the kitchen.'

Obediently, and knowing her pa intended to have her well away from what could dissolve into an argument, Shannon stood up. At the same time, Mr. Kyle said, 'Sometimes a man's roots and responsibilities go deeper than where he lives.'

'Isn't that sort of idea rather stale and old-fashioned, Mr. Kyle?' Adam asked. 'When we came out west, we left that behind.'

'Can you ever leave behind an idea? Or an ideology?' The man waited only a moment before turning back to Little Joe. 'At any rate, Little Joe, I most appreciate your most kind offer of help.'

'Well, that's certainly the least we can do for you, Mr. Kyle,' Ben said with all the graciousness of a host Shannon knew to expect from him.

Mr. Kyle smiled. 'Thank you.'

'Mr. Kyle, why don't you and I take a walk outside,' Ben suggested. 'Can I offer you a cigar?'

Shannon went to work as the dinner party broke. She collected the dessert plates and coffee cups, and then carried it all to the kitchen. Hop-Sing was already hard at work washing the dishes used earlier in the meal.

Still, the cook paused and narrowed his eyes at her. 'Why Lil' Missy look so serious?' he asked, using his native language.

'No reason,' Shannon said, shrugging her shoulders. Hop-Sing waited. 'I guess I never realized how different we all are. Hoss always jokes about how Joe is from the South and Adam is from the North. I never thought it would be so important where our mothers came from.'

Hop-Sing gave a nod. 'True. You are each very different, but there is one very important thing that is the same.' He leaned in closer. 'You have the same father, same home. Better to focus on what is the same and not what is different.'

With that said, the cook went back to work. Thoughtful, Shannon left the kitchen. Adam had gone outside, presumably to join their father and their guest. Shannon tiptoed to the open door and peered out. The three were seated together just off the porch. '...it's a prelude to war,' Mr. Kyle was saying. 'Civil war.'

Her breath caught in her throat. Emma's words came rushing back to her. Was he serious? 'Do you really think it will come to that, Mr. Kyle?' Adam asked.

'There's already talk that some of the states are seceding from the Union.'

'I hope we'll be spared at that grief out here,' Ben said, his tone grave.

'Where did you say you were from, Mr. Kyle?' Adam asked all of a sudden.

'I don't believe I did say,' Mr. Kyle said, 'but I'm from Kansas. And that's right in the middle of everything.' He rose abruptly. 'Well, I think I'll turn in. Good night, gentlemen. I do appreciate your hospitality.'

'Eavesdropping, Shan?' Joe asked as he walked past her.

Wrinkling her nose, Shannon stuck her tongue at him and dashed to the table. Just in case Adam or her pa followed Mr. Kyle in, it would at least look as if she'd been working on her homework, no matter what Joe tried to say about her.

Mr. Kyle nodded at her as he went to the spare bedroom. When he closed the door, Shannon stared at it thoughtfully. Why had Adam asked the man where he was from? If he was from the middle of trouble, like he said, which side would Mr. Kyle be on? Did it even matter?

Breathing out, Shannon turned her focus to the reading assignment Miss Jones had given her.

'My pa says the south should be allowed to do what they want.'

'Well, my pa says the south is being stupid. Nothing will be solved by the south just running away from the Union!'

The two schoolboys faced each other in the yard of the schoolhouse, neither one willing to yield. 'Enough!' Miss Jones called out, striding to get between the pair. 'This is no place for such discussion. Both of you are coming inside with me.'

She took both boys by their eras and pulled them back to the schoolhouse. Even though the most vocal had been removed, murmurings still spread through the children. Overnight, it had seemed, opinions about the potential war back east had been inflamed. Or had Shannon been so intent on not listening to gossip that she'd missed the rising tensions?

'Hot-headed rebels.'

'Granite northerners.'

A sliver of fear shot through Shannon's heart as she overheard certain words. How many times had Joe described Adam as being granite, cold and inflexible? Probably as many times as Joe was called hot-headed for his impetuous and quick temper.

'Hey, Shannon,' Emma said, getting the girl's attention. The teenager gestured for Shannon to join her by the wall of the school. 'Come over here.'

More than ready to leave the whispers behind, Shannon hurried to join the older girl. 'I brought these. I thought sewing a handkerchief would be a good way for you to learn stitches and to practice,' Emma said, showing her several squares of white fabric. A needle was threaded into the fabric.

'Alright,' Shannon said, admiring the creamy white color. 'When do we start?'

'Well, I don't see why we can't start at recess. We just have to make sure our hands are clean. My ma always said the fastest way to ruin any project is to start with dirty hands. Even if we don't think we've touched anything, we could still leave smudges on the fabric.'

Shannon nodded her understanding and then glanced over to where the older girls were gathered in a small group. 'Are you sure you won't want to be with the other girls?'

Emma's gaze dropped and she rubbed her hand against her dress. 'The other girls don't want to spend time with me, at the moment,' she said softly. 'Since my family came from Georgia. Either others from the South think I ought to support the idea of the south seceding from the union because of where I am from, or those who are from the North think I can't be trusted because my family chooses not to support either side.'

'Oh.' For a moment, Shannon wondered what would be worse: taking sides in the conflict or being looked on as untrustworthy because a person was neutral. She noticed how tense Emma had become, as though the other girl was expecting to be turned away. 'So, we'll meet here at recess?'

The teenager looked up, surprise in her eyes. She smiled. 'That sounds like an excellent plan. Now we both need to not get in trouble so Miss Jones doesn't keep us at our desks during recess.'

'That might be the most difficult part of all.'

Though she was proud of the new skill she was learning at school, Shannon kept her lessons with Emma to herself. It wasn't hard to do. Ben was concerned about the news from the east and the effect it was having on the town. Joe didn't seem to spend any time on the Ponderosa at all. Adam also seemed to be distracted. The only ones who would have noticed were Hoss and Hop-Sing. With the cook busy with his own responsibilities, and Hoss keeping an eye on Adam and Joe, it was easy to keep the sewing practice to herself.

About a week after Frederick Kyle arrived, Shannon sat up in her room with her thread and needle. She knew it was well past her bedtime, but no one had checked on her after she'd gone upstairs to finish her homework. Joe didn't come home in time for supper and had yet to go past Shannon's door.

Making a final knot, the girl studied the stitches she had made in the handkerchief. Where she had started hemming, her stitches were unsteady and large, but gradually they straightened out and became neater. The edges were not as straight as she knew they ought to have been, but she was more than a little pleased with how her first sewing project had turned out.

Downstairs, the front door slammed shut. Startled, Shannon dropped the handkerchief. She slipped off her bed and crept to the hallway. No one was in sight, she moved toward the stairway to listen closer.

'...knows we've got that branding to do in the crest section. Well,' now there was a note of resignation in her father's voice that Shannon had heard plenty of times before, 'he should be riding in pretty soon, I guess.'

'He was with Kyle again today.' Her oldest brother's words did not come as a surprise to Shannon. Joe seemed to like Frederick Kyle just as much as Adam disliked the man.

'I told him he could go,' Ben said. There was a pause, and the sound of something smacking the table. 'What is it, Adam?'

Concern made Shannon creep closer to the top of the staircase. 'I met two gentlemen today.' Adam's voice had a sarcastic edge to them. 'A Mr. Regis and Mr. Gorman. We had a toast together.'

'Yes?'

'You sweep better things off the street,' Adam said harshly. 'But they also happen to be friends of Mr. Fred Kyle.'
'What's on your mind?' Ben asked.

'Kyle didn't meet Little Joe by accident. He was asking for him the minute he got off that stage.'

Shannon's heart skipped a beat. She knew all too well that when a person started asking for another person as quickly as that, they had intentions. And those intentions were not always good. Why would Mr. Kyle have wanted to meet Joe so badly? What could he possibly want with him?

'Who told you that?' Ben's cup clinked as he set it down.

'Tom Madigan at the International House.'

The next sound Shannon heard was that of her father folding up his newspaper. 'And Tom is sure about this?'

'Positive.'

Shannon breathed out and leaned against the wall, her sewing forgotten for the moment. Adam must think there was something more going on if he made a point of bringing it up. 'I think I ought to go into town and speak to Kyle myself about this,' her father said, his tone decisive.

'I'll come with you,' Adam said immediately.

'No, no. I'd prefer you to stay so Shannon doesn't worry.'

'Hoss is here. Shannon will be fine. Hoss is here, isn't he? And shouldn't Shannon be in bed already?'

Of course, Adam would be the one to point that detail out. Shaking herself, Shannon began to back up toward her bedroom. She collided with another body, and a large hand over her mouth kept her from yelping. For a brief moment, panic swept through Shannon.

'Shh,' Hoss whispered. 'It's just me.'

Relaxing, Shannon nodded her understanding and Hoss removed his hand. Down below, their father said, 'This is a conversation I want to have alone, Adam. Stay here in case Joe does come back and wonder where I've gone.'

Hoss pulled her back to her bedroom. 'You heard it all too?' Shannon asked in a whisper. She knew just how sharp Adam's ears could be, even all the way in the great room.

Her large brother nodded, concern in his blue eyes. 'Yep.'

'What does it mean?'

'I don't know, but I reckon it won't be long before Adam and Pa work it all out,' Hoss said. He gently closed the door. 'I thought you were asleep an hour ago. What's keeping you up?'

Shannon's gaze went to the handkerchief she'd sewn was on her bed. 'Nothing,' she said, moving to stand in front of it. 'Did you know Joe was spending so much time with Mr. Kyle?'

Hoss' eyes narrowed. 'Shan, what are you hiding?'

'I'm not hiding anything!'

'Shan.'

Heaving a sigh, Shannon reached behind and picked up the handkerchief. 'You can't tell Pa, alright?' She held it up in all it's imperfect glory. 'One of my classmates is teaching me how to sew and I want it to be a surprise. I haven't gone to bed because I was practicing.'

'And why don't you want Pa to know?' Hoss asked, taking the fabric square from her.

'Because I want to get better at it before I show him. I want it to be a surprise.' Cheeks flushing with embarrassment, Shannon held out her hand. 'Can I have it back now? Please?'

Smiling, Hoss handed it back. 'Sure, Shan. I don't suppose you're learning the usual things a gal like you should learn, having nothing but men raising you now. I won't tell Pa what you're up to.'

Relieved, Shannon smoothed out the fabric, even though her uneven stitches had created bunches and ripples. 'A lot of my classmates are fighting because of their parents' views about the conflict.'

When she glanced up, Shannon saw concern and regret on Hoss' face. 'I'm not surprised,' he said. 'People sure are getting worked up, and some are making it all worse by voicing their opinion.'

'Is that what Mr. Kyle is doing?' Shannon asked. 'And he's getting Joe to help him.'

Her door opened. 'I thought I heard voices in here,' Adam said. There was still a hint of anger in his dark eyes, though none of it was in his voice. 'Hoss, you know Shannon's bedtime was an hour ago.'

'Hoss was just telling me the same thing,' Shannon said with a huff. She curled her fingers around the handkerchief to hold it. 'I don't see why I have to be in bed so early when Joe gets to stay out however long he likes.'

'I think you will find Joe doesn't have as much freedom as you seem to think he does.'

'Well, if you want me to go to bed, get out so I can!' She was already in her nightgown, but it was the principle of the matter.

Adam eyed her. 'And I supposed you're going to try and tell me you haven't been listening at the top of the staircase,' he said, resignation in his voice.

What had she said to give him that clue? Huffing, Shannon marched over and pushed on both him and Hoss. 'Just get out of my room already.' She was well aware Hoss was laughing at her as he allowed her to push him out. 'Good night!'

She didn't slam the door shut; she only closed it very firmly. The wood wasn't enough to stop her from hearing Adam say, 'You know, Hoss. I almost preferred it when she was shy and too afraid to say anything to anyone. There was far less sass then.'

'I'm not so sure of that,' was Hoss' response before he walked away.

Shannon glared at the door and stalked to her bed. She hugged her pillow to her chest as she remembered everything she had heard. What had Joe gotten himself into? How bad were things going to get before it ended?

Several of Shannon's classmates were not in school the next day. At recess, it became obvious that those who were in attendance had a definite divide between them. Shannon and Emma were not the only ones who sat to the side by themselves.

'I didn't think it would get this bad,' Emma said softly.

'I think it's going to get much, much worse.' Shannon kept her eyes on her classmates, who kept their eyes on the ones who were of a different way of thinking. 'If you agree with one side, you're wrong. If you disagree, you're wrong.'

'It's difficult not to see where both sides are coming from,' Emma said with a sigh. She tore a piece of bread away and tossed it toward the tree. A sparrow hopped from branch to branch, moving closer to the crumb of food. 'Slavery is horrible. I've read about the things slaves suffer. It's understandable that some want to step in and end it.'

Shannon nodded, chewing on some cheese. Once she swallowed, she asked, 'So what about the other side? The south?'

'Well, they just want to be allowed to live their life the way they want. They're probably feeling like their rights are being trampled on by everyone else.' Emma shook her head. 'Their economic way of life has been built on slavery, and to just rip that away would mean the collapse of their economy. It would ruin families.'

Startled, Shannon glanced over. 'What? I listen when people talk,' Emma said defensively. 'Sometimes men don't realize I'm paying attention.' She shrugged with a wry smile. 'Or they think I can't understand what they're talking about. But I'm not stupid. I know what will happen if war is declared.'

'With two extreme opinions and neither willing to bend,' Shannon said, very much aware she could have been describing her brothers, 'it's hard to see how they will avoid it.'

Emma nodded in agreement. 'Well,' she said, brushing her hands off. 'We're not going to solve the country's problems in a schoolyard. Show me how your handkerchief turned out.'

'It's not as pretty as yours,' Shannon warned as she brought the item out of her lunchbox. 'I tried to keep the same tension, but sometimes, I think I pulled a little too tightly.'

Taking the piece of cloth from her, Emma examined it closely. 'It's not the worst thing I've ever seen,' she said, her tone encouraging. 'You knew enough to keep your stitches the same size, even if they are large. Now you just need to keep practicing with another one. The more you do it, the easier it will become.'

'So I won't have to pull everything out and do over?'

The young sewing teacher raised an eyebrow. 'Why would you? It doesn't have to be pretty to be put to use. When you have more experience, I'll teach you how to embroider, and you can put your initials or a flower or something decorative in the corner.'

'How long will it take for me to get good enough for that?'

With a smile, Emma handed back the handkerchief. 'That depends on just how hard you work and how much you practice. Just remember not to pull too tightly.'

Somehow, Shannon thought it was an apt metaphor for what was happening in town. Pulling too tightly, to make a point or to defend one's family background, was only causing things to bunch up with trouble. She kept the idea to herself, though.

Beside her, Emma began to hum and it took Shannon a moment to recognize the song. The words came to mind and she began to sing softly,

'Do they miss me at home, do they miss me?
'Twould be an assurance most dear,
To know that this moment some loved one
Were saying, 'I wish he was here;'
To feel that the group at the fireside
Were thinking of me as I roam.
Oh, yes, 'twould be joy beyond measure
To know that they missed me at home,
To know that they missed me at home.
Glancing over, Emma gave a nod as she began to sing too.
When twilight approaches, the season
That ever is sacred to song,
Does someone repeat my name over,
And sigh that I tarry so long?
All is there a chord in the music
That's missed when my voice is away?
And a chord in each heart that awaketh
Regret at my wearisome stay,
Regret at my wearisome stay?

Around the schoolyard, the other children all grew silent as they listened. A few of the younger ones edged closer, drawn to the melancholy sound of the song.

Do they sit me a chair near the table,
When evening's home pleasures are nigh,
When the candles are lit in the parlor,
And the stars in the calm azure sky?
And when the 'good-nights' are repeated,
And all lay them down to their sleep,
Do they think of the absent, and want me
A whispered 'good-night' while they weep,
A whispered 'good-night' while they weep?

Do they miss me at home-do they miss me
At morning, at noon, or at night?
And lingers one gloomy shade round them
That only my presence can light?
Are joys less invitingly welcome,
And pleasures less hale than before,
Because one is missed from the circle,
Because I am with them no more,
Because I am with them no more?

The song had been constantly in Shannon's thoughts when she'd been kidnapped and separated from her father. She closed her eyes, trying to force back the memories of fear and uncertainty. Why couldn't she forget? Why did the memories come back at every moment?

'Are you alright?' Emma asked softly.

'I'm fine,' Shannon said, taking a deep breath. She opened her eyes. 'I guess I was just thinking if things do get worse, and family members start to leave to take their side in a war, how many will be wondering if they're missed at all.'

Miss Jones rang the bell firmly, signaling them all to come back for the afternoon lessons. Sighing, Shannon slipped her first piece of needlework into her lunch pail before she rose and joined the line of sullen children into the schoolhouse. Amy Jackson bumped intoher, but hurried on without a word of apology.

Immediately after supper, Shannon settled at the table to do her homework as usual. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched the rest of her family. Ben was at the desk, going over the accounts with Adam. Hoss was cleaning his rifle. No one had said anything, but the tension in the room was palpable probably because, once again, Joe wasn't home.

Shannon wondered what had happened in town, whenBen had gone to confront Mr. Kyle. If her father had said anything, it hadn't been where she could overhear.

She'd barely started her homework when she heard a rider enter the yard. 'Mr. Cartwright!' came a shout a few moments later. 'Mr. Cartwright!'

At the desk, Ben rose and glanced out the window. 'Keep doing your homework, Shannon, while I see what's happened,' he said as he hurried to the door.

Huffing, Shannon remained in her seat while her brothers all followed their father. She leaned to the side in an attempt to see the door, which she hadn't heard her father close. She could hear the distant sound of voices, but couldn't make out anything specific. When she heard footsteps, she straightened up and stared at her schoolbook.

'Shannon, we have to go out for a while,' Ben said when he came into view. 'I'm not sure when we will be back. Stay inside with Hop-Sing. Finish your homework.'

'Has something happened?' Shannon asked apprehensively. It was a stupid question. Something was always happening, whether it was caused by one of her family or not.

Her brothers were collecting their gun belts and hats. 'The stage was either attacked or had an accident,' Ben told her. 'We're the closest ranch. We have to get the sheriff and the doctor.'
'Though it doesn't sound like there's anything Paul can do,' Adam said, his tone grim.

The memory of being in a stage when it was attacked flashed through Shannon's mind. She swallowed hard and shook her head, trying to shake away the roar of the gunfire and the metallic scent of blood in the air. How long would she go through life, always remembering the worst moments?

She wrapped her arms around her waist as the door closed behind her family. Shannon glanced at her open schoolbook and then turned away. How was she expected to do math sums when she knew there had been an accident and people hurt, maybe even killed?

'Missy do as father tell you to do,' Hop-Sing said, his tone chiding as he entered the room. 'Worry do no good.'

'Worry is my constant companion,' Shannon said seriously. 'Why does everyone tell me not to worry with everything happening? Am I supposed to just ignore the bad and terrible things happening? Am I supposed to pretend ignorance that my family is getting torn apart?'
z
Hop-Sing stared at her for a moment. 'Missy, sit down and I bring tea,' he said soberly. 'Not good be angry over things you cannot change.'

Throwing herself into the leather chair by the fireplace, Shannon admitted he was right. Being angry wasn't solving anything for her, however much she felt entitled to feeling the emotion.

Time seemed to pass slowly as she waited for either her father to return or for those hurt in the stage to arrive from the road. She brought out her second handkerchief and worked on stitching the hem. Her new stitches were more even, though this was mostly because she was taking more time with each one.

When she heard the approach of horses, she hid her project in her apron pocket and ran to the window. It was Hoss with the sheriff, the doctor, and a small group of men from town. Less than five minutes later, a wagon rolled slowly into the yard as well.

Dread coiled in Shannon's stomach as she watched. No injured people were being helped down. Light from the torches and lanterns revealed that the back of the wagon had tarps covering it. The stagecoach passengers and the driver. She couldn't hear what was being said and she moved to the door.

No one noticed her when she stepped outside. Before she could sneak closer, she saw Hoss riding up with Mr. Kyle. Staying on the porch, Shannon watched as Mr. Kyle walked to the wagon. He lifted one edge of the blanket and stared down at the body beneath.

'My foreman found the bodies just before dark,' Ben said, his tone serious. 'Since...since you and the lady were acquainted, I thought you'd want to know.'

'How did it happen?' Mr. Kyle asked. His face had no emotion and his voice was just as lifeless. A chill went down Shannon's spine at the sound.

'Someone placed a boulder on a blind curb,' Ben explained, 'the driver didn't have a chance to stop the stage from going over the cliff.' His tone held regret and sadness at the tragedy.

'Who did it?' Kyle asked.

Shannon thought it was an odd question. How were they supposed to know who had committed the crime? 'Must have been two of them,' her father said, even as he shook his head. 'There were footprints all around.'

Mr. Kyle turned to go to his horse without another word. 'Kyle,' Ben said sharply. 'Who was she?'

When the man paused too long, Adam stepped forward. 'You must have known her pretty well. Why don't you tell us who she was? What are you hiding, Mr. Kyle?'

Shannon's eyes flicked from one person to another. She'd known there was trouble brewing among them, but she hadn't quite expected this much hostility. Why? What made them all so angry?

'I am not trying to hide anything,' Mr. Kyle said, facing Adam. 'She was a person I once knew.' He glanced over at Ben. 'You believe that, don't you?'

'I don't believe you, Kyle,' Adam said sharply. 'Who are you and what do you really want here in Virginia City?'

Cringing, Shannon closed her eyes. Was this really the time for Adam to demand answers? 'Look, what's got into you, Adam?' Little Joe asked sharply. 'You have no right to question Mr. Kyle like that.'

'Haven't I? Well, he's got you pretty well fooled, hasn't he?'

'Fooled about what? He hasn't got me fooled about anything.' Joe's voice rose in frustration.

'Tell him, Kyle. Tell him the truth!' Adam said, turning his focus to Mr. Kyle once again.

'Stop it! Stop it!' Ben said, intervening. 'What's the matter with you? What are we doing? Shouting over the dead, fighting like animals?'

'Come on, both of you,' Hoss said, his tone disappointed.

'I'm sorry, Kyle,' Ben said to their visitor. 'I...we shouldn't have behaved this way.'

Mr. Kyle's shoulders rose and fell as though he sighed. 'I told you, Ben. She was a person I once knew.' He put his hat on and went to his horse. Mr. Kyle mounted and then rode out of the yard.

Sheriff Coffee stepped forward. 'Well, we'll take these poor people into town now. Thank you for notifying me, Ben. Sure was a terrible tragedy. We'll take them into town and see that they get a proper burial.'

Adam Shannon Poker Player

Letting go of the porch post, Shannon slipped back to the door. She made it inside without getting seen and slipped up the stairs just to be on the safe side. When her father came up fifteen minutes later, she had her schoolbooks open on her bed.

'Everything alright, Pa?' she asked.

'Everything is fine, Shannon.' Ben crossed the room to kiss the top of her head. 'There's nothing to worry about.'

There was worry in his voice, though. Shannon forced a smile, trying not to let her pa see just how unconvinced she was. 'OK, Pa.'

Joe was nowhere in sight the next morning. Shannon had become used to never seeing him on some days, especially when there was a girl he was chasing. This time, though, felt different. This wasn't because of a girl. This was because of someone bringing up the differences between them.

Shannon wasn't sure what she should say to Joe when she saw him. What could she say that wouldn't make him angry? How was she supposed to help keep her family, the only family she had that loved and protected her, together?

When she got back from school, Joe was still gone. Hop-Sing hadn't seen him. The extra time gave Shannon more room to think, but she still couldn't come up with any way to help ease the tension.

Laying in her bed, wide awake, Shannon heard her brothers' raised voices downstairs. She raised herself up on her elbows, trying to differentiate the voices, but couldn't. The slam of a door closing made her flinch. When she scrambled out of bed and peered out the window, she saw one of her brothers-it had to be Joe, since the figure was slender and shorter-riding away from the yard. Heavy footsteps on the staircase sounded moments later.

'Adam, how will that make anything better?' Hoss was asking. 'You're always telling the rest of us to think before making a decision, and I don't think you're doing it right now.'

'Hoss, there's no other way,' Adam said firmly. 'I have to do this. There's nothing else to be said, nothing else to do.'

Unease twisting in her stomach, Shannon tiptoed to the door. When she peeked into the hallway, she saw her brothers go into their pa's bedroom. Unable to resist, she made her way to the same door and looked inside.

'Pa? Pa.' Adam reached out and shook their father's shoulder. 'Little Joe came in about twenty minutes ago.'

'The maverick finally got home, did he? Well, right now the three of you are going to have a talking to,' Ben said as he rose from his bed. 'Put an end to this nonsense once and for all.' He went to the door and called out, 'Little Joe!' He ignored Adam's quiet, 'Pa,' and shouted again, Little Joe, come in here.'

Shrinking back, Shannon held her breath and hoped she wouldn't get noticed. 'Pa, he came but he didn't stay,' Hoss told him.

Ben glanced between his two oldest sons. 'What do you mean, he didn't stay?'

'He just came to pick up a few things, Pa,' Adam said seriously. 'He's going to stay in town for a while.'

Shannon's heart dropped. Joe, gone for good? This was worse than any other time he had ridden away from the ranch. What was he going to do? Show support for the Southern side of the conflict?

'Why didn't you stop him?' Ben asked, clearly upset by the turn of events.

Adam paused, glancing at Hoss. 'I plan to,' he said.

Before Ben had to comprehend his son's words, Adam walked out of the bedroom. Hoss said, 'Pa, Adam says he's gonna go too.'

What? Adam leaving too? How was that supposed to help? What good would it do? Where would he go? How long was he going to be gone? Shannon looked up at Hoss with dread, and the large man only shook his head.

'Adam!' Ben rushed after his son and Shannon followed. 'Adam, wait a minute.'

The dark haired man was already halfway down the stairs. He shrugged on his coat as Ben and Hoss caught up to him at the bottom, 'Now, Adam, before you...' Ben began to say, his tone reasonable.

'This political trouble, it's a madness, Pa. Suddenly, something screams at you inside and you find yourself saying things you don't mean; things you don't even believe. Tell Little Joe I wanted him to know that. Try to make him understand.'

There was a sadness, an almost kind desperateness, in Adam's voice. Shannon stood on the steps, staring in horror. How had it all come to this? 'These things that are packed here, what's this for,' Ben asked, gesturing to Adam's saddlebags. 'Where do you think you're going?'

Adam put his hat on his head and stowed his pack under his arm. 'New England ought to be mighty pretty this time of year,' he said. 'I think I'd like to see it again.'

'Now, Adam, you can't be serious. Use your head.'

'Oh, Adam, come on,' Hoss said, joining the conversation.

'Hoss, things can't be the same between us anymore,' Adam answered, pausing to answer his brother.

'What are you talking about? What can't be the same?' Ben asked in frustration. 'Why can't it be—'

'It just can't, Pa!' Adam interrupted, his tone sharp. He walked out of the house.

'Adam. Adam! Adam!' Ben followed and Hoss wasn't far behind.

'There's no other way, Pa, can't you see?' Shannon heard Adam's response as she left the stairs. She hurried to the door, hoping her pa would be able to calm Adam and convince him to stay.

'No, I can't see.' Ben's voice was regaining some of its usual confidence. 'I'm not gonna stand by and watch my family flake away like rust off a wheel.'

Adam Shannon Poker Show

Adam tied his roll onto the back of Sport's saddle. 'Oh, use your head, Pa, not your heart. Can't you see the damage is already done? It's gotta be Little Joe or me. And he needs you more than I do.'

Hope struggled to stay alive as Shannon sagged against the porch post. Was she going to lose her family just like that? For how long? It couldn't be a permanent fracture, could it? Joe would come back, and Adam would too, when they had time to cool off and realize the rest of the world didn't matter.

'Adam. I don't want you to go.'

'You think it's what I want, Pa? Or even what Little Joe wants? This thing has gone so far now there's just no stopping it. You can't have two different points of view in the same house, Pa. It just won't work, and that's all there is to it!'

Again, Ben tried to reach his son. 'Adam, please.'

'Oh, Pa, leave me alone, will ya?' Adam shrugged his father's hand off and mounted Sport. He wheeled the horse around and kicked him into a gallop.

Collapsing on the step, Shannon stared after him. Gone. Leaving for good to go back east. East where there was the threat of war between the states. What would stop Adam, who was a firm believer in standing up and fighting for what a person believed in, from taking part?

Stunned, she turned her gaze to where Hoss had joined their father. Never had Shannon seen her pa look so hurt, so lost.

'Pa, that newspaper you was reading the other day in the saloon about what Mr. Lincoln said about a house divided can't stand. I reckon he was talkin' about folks like us,' Hoss said quietly, his tone somber.

'No,' Ben said, his voice full of grief. 'Not us, Hoss. Not us.'

And yet, their family had been fractured. Shannon wondered if she should cry, but all she felt was shock. And anger. Joe had ridden away without a thought about how her or Pa or Hoss would feel, and all because he was caught up in thinking about his family roots.

And Adam had left just as easily. Because he couldn't agree with Joe. Because he thought they all would be better off without him there. As if things could be normal without him there.

Shannon curled her hands into a fist. How dare they, both of them! To think there was no other reasonable solution!

'Shan.' With a start, she looked up to see Hoss in front if her. She lunged up and wrapped her arms around the one constant brother in her life. He hugged her back. 'It's going to be alright, Shan. Let's go on back in now.'

Twisting her head, Shanon saw her father headed to the barn. 'Where is Pa going?' she asked.

'To talk some sense into Little Joe.' Hoss turned and guided her toward the door. 'It's getting late.'

'At least I don't have school tomorrow,' Shannon said as she stepped through the doorway. 'Adam didn't mean it, did he? He isn't going back east, is he?'

'Adam seldom says anything he don't mean,' Hoss said with a sigh. 'And he does have a fondness for Boston since he went to college there. But he and Joe both are hotheads sometimes. They need some time to cool off.'

'Yeah, but will it take the thousands of miles to get to Boston before Adam decides he's cooled off?'

Hoss had no answer for her.

It was another restless night for Shannon. She rose at dawn with a headache, unable to face more tossing and turning. Dressed, she waited until she could smell Hop-Sing's coffee before she went down. Her father was already sitting down there.

'Good morning, sweetheart,' Ben said, looking up. 'You're up early.'

'I didn't sleep well, and there didn't seem any reason to stay in bed,' Shannon said as she crossed the great room. She leaned against Ben's right side. 'I didn't hear you come back last night. Did you...find Joe?'

Up close, she could see that some of the worries that had been on her father's face for several weeks had eased a little bit, though he looked tired. 'Yes, I did. He said there was something he had to do and he left not long ago,' Ben said, a note of hope in his voice. 'He'll be back soon.'

'Is it over, then?'

Ben heaved a sigh. 'We can hope.'

'Will everyone in town go back to the way they were, or will they continue to fight?'

'That I cannot say. When the subject of personal rights comes up, everyone has their own opinion. With any hope, with Mr. Kyle gone, people will come to their own conclusions, and we can hope sense will be seen.'

Given how the town had reacted when outlaws had come after the Cartwrights, Shannon wasn't going to hold out much hope for sense and reasonableness. 'Will...will Adam come back?'

Adam had been the one to protect her, even if he did sometimes act like he was her father. The thought of him being gone and not being within reach if she had a question or problem was unsettling. She knew she could

'I hope so.'

Hop-Sing carried a fresh pot of coffee in. Shannon straightened with interest. 'Can AI try coffee? Please, Pa?' She had asked before and had never convinced any of her family that she was old enough.

'There's no rush for you grow up,' Ben said with a slight smile. He pushed the cup toward her. 'But I don't see what the harm is if you have just sip.'

Eagerly, Shannon wrapped her hands around the cup and sipped the dark liquid. The bitter taste made her wrinkle her nose as the hot coffee burned her tongue. Ben let out a laugh at her expression.

'I think I prefer Hop-Sing's tea,' Shannon said. 'Why does everyone seem to like it so much?'

'It does take some getting used to, but it helps fight off tiredness,' Ben said as he reclaimed the cup. 'And on a ranch like the Ponderosa, where there is always something to do, coffee is an absolute must.'

Shannon fingered the handkerchief she had finished sewing the night before. While she knew she ought to take it to school on Monday and let Emma give her opinion of the stitches, she decided not to. 'Pa, I made you something,' she said, pulling it out. 'I've been practicing, and I know it's not perfect yet, but I want you to have my first one.'

Except for the first, terrible one that she hoped would never see the light of day again.

Ben blinked in surprise as he took the square, plain fabric from her. 'You sewed this?'

'One of my classmates, Emma Marks, has been teaching me during recess.'

Adam Shannon Poker Player

'Shannon, it's wonderful. I'm so proud of you.' Ben hugged her as Hoss came down the stairs.

Before anything else could be said, there was the sound of horses approaching. Shannon rushed to the porch. Her father and Hoss were steps behind her. The trio watched as Adam and Joe dismounted in front of the house.

Without a word, Adam untied his bunk roll and pulled his saddlebags off. He paused, and then a smile forming on his face, he tossed the roll over his shoulder. Joe managed to catch it and followed Adam towards the rest of the family.

There were shoulders claps all around and Ben unashamedly embraced both of his sons. Shannon hung back, still feeling the sting of resentment that both had been willing to just leave. Her brothers butted heads so often, what would stop one of them from just leaving again if they thought there was no resolving the issue?

As he passed, Joe reached out and put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her along. Hop-Sing beamed at them all for a moment before he began scolding that they were letting his breakfast get cold.

It was so normal. As she looked around the table, Shannon felt the tension that had been so persistent in the past week fade away.

On Monday, Shannon settled into her usual place to eat her lunch. Emma was talking to one of the older boys near the door, her cheeks flushing as she spoke. Shannon had seen enough flirting on the part of her brothers to suspect a romance in the works.

Before she realized it, Amy Jackson sat down beside Shannon. There was a long quiet pause.

'Hi,' Amy said quietly.

'Hi,' Shannon said, her tone just as quiet.

'What have you and Emma been doing?' Amy asked, not meeting Shannon's gaze. 'You and she have been together almost every day for the past two weeks. I didn't know you and she had so much in common.'

'She's been teaching me to sew.' Shannon hesitated and then pulled out the handkerchief she had just finished. 'See?'

Amy blinked. 'You're learning to sew? On purpose? Why? It's one of the most boring things ever. My ma is making me learn and I would rather do anything else.'

'I'm having fun. Emma says I'm getting better.'

Narrowing her eyes, Amy studied the stitches. 'I suppose it's not the worst I've ever seen.'

Again, they fell silent. 'I'm sorry,' the other girl finally blurted out. 'For getting mad at you and not talking to you all this time. You were right. I shouldn't gossip so much, and everything I was saying was ridiculous.'

Surprised, Shannon hesitated. 'I...I forgive you. I should apologize too. I've listened to you tell me gossip before, when it suited my own purposes. I'm sorry I got so annoyed with you this time.'

Adam Shannon Poker Rules

'Maybe we can just go back to normal?' Amy suggested hopefully.

Adam Shannon Poker Tournaments

'I'd like that.'

Do They Miss Me At Home, composed by S.M. Grannis with lyrics by Caroline Atherton Mason

Adam Shannon Poker Game

Published in 1852